Remembering Martin Thake

Abstract

Martin Thake’s name is synonymous with raptor migration. He was the go to person in the 1970s and 1980s when it came to anything related to raptors. During the months of September and October many of us, now old timers, remember Martin sitting on the roof of the Tal-Ispirtu Farmhouse smack in the middle of Buskett observing the raptors passing overhead. Martin was a scientist and he approached ornithology with a scientific frame of mind. His numerous publications on the migratory habits of the Honey Buzzard and other raptors are testimony to this. Later in the years, Martin shifted his ornithological interest towards pollen and nectar-feeding in passerine birds as well as many other topics. Martin contributed regularly to the bird sightings log and for a number of years he served on the Malta Ornithological Society (BirdLife Malta) rarities committee.